"Where Good Kids Become Great Leaders"
The Young Marines is a Leadership Program for kids ages 8 through the completion of high school modeled after, and endorsed by, the United State Marine Corps. At our unit (one of nearly 300 across the U.S.) we focus on Military & American History, physical fitness, public speaking, citizenship, community service, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Young Marines are not pushed into the military, but they are required to appreciate the freedoms granted by those who serve(d). The Northern Kentucky unit is the Proud Home of the 2011 ADVANCED LEADERSHIP SCHOOL HONOR GRADUATE, 2013 DIVISION 2 YOUNG MARINE of the YEAR, the 2016 DIVISION 2 YOUNG MARINE of the YEAR, the 2016 ADVANCED LEADERSHIP SCHOOL HONOR GRADUATE and IRON MIKE Recipient, the 2017 DIVISION 2 YOUNG MARINE of the YEAR, the 2017 JUNIOR LEADERSHIP SCHOOL HONOR GRADUATE, and the 2013-14 NATIONAL YOUNG MARINE of the YEAR!
The Northern Kentucky Young Marines unit meets every other Saturday from 0845-1500 (8:45am-3:00pm) at VFW Post 6095, located at 343 East 47th Street, Covington, KY 41015. Check out the "Calendar" tab for information about drill dates.
The Northern Kentucky Young Marines unit meets every other Saturday from 0845-1500 (8:45am-3:00pm) at VFW Post 6095, located at 343 East 47th Street, Covington, KY 41015. Check out the "Calendar" tab for information about drill dates.
"Yellow Footprints"
On a grey Saturday morning in Spring of 2007, I planted my 11-year-old feet on a set of yellow foot prints that would serve as the first steps to the development and discovery of my self. Without my experiences in the Young Marines program and the opportunities it has afforded me, I would be nothing close to the young woman I am today - but my pre-teen self didn't have a clue. All she knew is that the rain was cold, the voices were loud, and the field was muddy. And much to her surprise, she was enjoying it.
For eight consecutive Saturdays, that young girl gave her all mentally and physically in every aspect of Recruit Training. She transformed from barely being able to look someone in the eye to being able to stand tall and answer questions in front of a board of Registered Adults. More than anything, she was able to proudly wear the uniform she put on that eighth Saturday knowing that it had been earned, not just given. That afternoon she, amongst a platoon of boys ages 8 through 16, was announced the Honor Graduate of Recruit Class 2007 Alpha. Those eight weeks provided the most drastic change I had ever experienced, and all for the better. The girl I became suddenly had the confidence and motivation to excel in the face of a challenge, and enjoy not only the magnitude of the outcome but the experience of the journey. My being announced as Honor Graduate set the theme and the standards for the rest of my time in the program; standards that I continually strive to raise.
Once I earned the title of Young Marine, I immediately immersed myself into the various opportunities of the program, setting out to attend all three leadership schools, for one and two weeks at a time each summer. Not only was the training daunting, but looking back, I can't imagine how I as a 13-year-old had the courage to enthusiastically fly across the country to join ranks with a hundred other Young Marines whom I had never met. Yet every summer for three summers, I did. In 2011, out of the top fifty Young Marines in the nation, I was chosen as the National Advanced Leadership School Honor Graduate. This title, more so than any, sparked a series of events which led me across the country and, eventually, across the world. As the opportunities of the program increased, I continued to search for and create my own.
It was through these experiences and accomplishments that I was named Young Marine of the Year - first for my unit, then the Kentucky Battalion, then the 2nd Division - at which point I was blessed with the trip of a lifetime escorting WWII veterans to Guam and Iwo Jima for the Reunion of Honor. This past May, I stood tall before a board of our National Director and Division Commanders, at which point they chose me to represent our program and its 10,000 members for the next full year.
When I speak of the Young Marines program, be it in front of a national convention, to a prospective young child or to a seat partner on a flight, I not only speak with the confidence of years of training and experience, but I speak from the heart of a life that was fundamentally and forever changed. Each time I take to the stage, my mind drifts back to that Kentucky drill deck, and I wonder how many other stories unknowingly began with a yellow footprint.
©2013 YM/SgtMaj Dakota Richter
For eight consecutive Saturdays, that young girl gave her all mentally and physically in every aspect of Recruit Training. She transformed from barely being able to look someone in the eye to being able to stand tall and answer questions in front of a board of Registered Adults. More than anything, she was able to proudly wear the uniform she put on that eighth Saturday knowing that it had been earned, not just given. That afternoon she, amongst a platoon of boys ages 8 through 16, was announced the Honor Graduate of Recruit Class 2007 Alpha. Those eight weeks provided the most drastic change I had ever experienced, and all for the better. The girl I became suddenly had the confidence and motivation to excel in the face of a challenge, and enjoy not only the magnitude of the outcome but the experience of the journey. My being announced as Honor Graduate set the theme and the standards for the rest of my time in the program; standards that I continually strive to raise.
Once I earned the title of Young Marine, I immediately immersed myself into the various opportunities of the program, setting out to attend all three leadership schools, for one and two weeks at a time each summer. Not only was the training daunting, but looking back, I can't imagine how I as a 13-year-old had the courage to enthusiastically fly across the country to join ranks with a hundred other Young Marines whom I had never met. Yet every summer for three summers, I did. In 2011, out of the top fifty Young Marines in the nation, I was chosen as the National Advanced Leadership School Honor Graduate. This title, more so than any, sparked a series of events which led me across the country and, eventually, across the world. As the opportunities of the program increased, I continued to search for and create my own.
It was through these experiences and accomplishments that I was named Young Marine of the Year - first for my unit, then the Kentucky Battalion, then the 2nd Division - at which point I was blessed with the trip of a lifetime escorting WWII veterans to Guam and Iwo Jima for the Reunion of Honor. This past May, I stood tall before a board of our National Director and Division Commanders, at which point they chose me to represent our program and its 10,000 members for the next full year.
When I speak of the Young Marines program, be it in front of a national convention, to a prospective young child or to a seat partner on a flight, I not only speak with the confidence of years of training and experience, but I speak from the heart of a life that was fundamentally and forever changed. Each time I take to the stage, my mind drifts back to that Kentucky drill deck, and I wonder how many other stories unknowingly began with a yellow footprint.
©2013 YM/SgtMaj Dakota Richter
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Pearl Harbor Adventure14 Young Marines and 5 Adult Staff members from Northern Kentucky unit (along with many other Young Marines and Staff from across the country) participated in the Pearl Harbor Young Marines adventure. These Young Marines and Staff were honored to lay a wreath at the National Cemetery of the Pacific, visit the USS Arizona, participated in the memorial on base, march in the Pearl Harbor Memorial parade, and speak with survivors of the attacks. In their free time, they were able to hike Diamond Head crater, snorkel and swim at Hanauma Bay, hike to M'akapu Point, and enjoy a luau lunch at Hickam Air Force Base. We stayed at MCBH Kaneohe Bay and were able to visit with former Young Marines who are now active duty Marines and stationed on K Bay. Thanks to all those who supported us for making this amazing trip possible!
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GENERATIONS OF HONOR:
A Year with the Young Marines
premiered on 5 November 2014 at the historic Kentucky Theatre in Lexington Ky, after which it began airing on KET. This documentary follows our own YM/SgtMaj Dakota Richter, 2013-14 National Young Marine of the Year (the first NYMOY from the commonwealth of Kentucky) and
includes many Young Marines from our unit.
Emmy-nominated Producer Doug High does a fabulous job showing the connection that all Young Marines have to our nation's heroes... American Veterans. Please call or email your local PBS station and ask them to air 'Generations of Honor: A Year with the Young Marines', as it has been approved for all national PBS stations. Simply click on the poster to the right to watch the documentary.
A Year with the Young Marines
premiered on 5 November 2014 at the historic Kentucky Theatre in Lexington Ky, after which it began airing on KET. This documentary follows our own YM/SgtMaj Dakota Richter, 2013-14 National Young Marine of the Year (the first NYMOY from the commonwealth of Kentucky) and
includes many Young Marines from our unit.
Emmy-nominated Producer Doug High does a fabulous job showing the connection that all Young Marines have to our nation's heroes... American Veterans. Please call or email your local PBS station and ask them to air 'Generations of Honor: A Year with the Young Marines', as it has been approved for all national PBS stations. Simply click on the poster to the right to watch the documentary.
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USCGA Regimental Commander
Former leader of the Northern Kentucky unit, and 2013 National Young Marine of the Year, Dakota Richter served as the Regimental Commander of the United States Coast Guard Academy for the 2017-18 Fall Semester. Regimental Commander is the military leader of the entire Corps of Cadets. Richter will graduate from the Academy in May of 2018 with a Naval Architecture/Marine Engineering degree and then go on to serve at least 5 years as an officer. She stills takes the time to visit with "her Young Marines" whenever possible, as she understands the importance this program played in her appointment to, and desire to excel at, the Coast Guard Academy. |
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2017 Young Marines
National Junior Leadership School HONOR GRADUATE
YM/LCpl Parker Wilson, 16 of Falmouth, Kentucky, recently attended Young Marines National Junior Leadership School in Camp Rilea, Oregon. He trained for one week with 86 other Junior Young Marines from across the country to become a better leader. Besides graduating from JLS, YM/LCpl Wilson earned the title of Honor Graduate... as we knew he could!
National Junior Leadership School HONOR GRADUATE
YM/LCpl Parker Wilson, 16 of Falmouth, Kentucky, recently attended Young Marines National Junior Leadership School in Camp Rilea, Oregon. He trained for one week with 86 other Junior Young Marines from across the country to become a better leader. Besides graduating from JLS, YM/LCpl Wilson earned the title of Honor Graduate... as we knew he could!
Division 2 Young Marine of the Year (D2YMOY) again!
Jan 2017 - We are excited to announce that YM/SgtMaj Caleb Maurer, a sophomore at Dixie Heights High School, has been selected as the 2017 Division 2 Young Marine of the Year... for the second year in a row. YM/SgtMaj Maurer will once again represent 30 units in our Division.
YM/SgtMaj Maurer was an escort for WWII Marines on their journey back to Guam and Iwo Jima in March for the Reunion of Honor Trip. In early May, he will attend the Young Marines Adult Leaders Conference in Las Vegas, where he will stand before the National Board, as will the other 5 Division Young Marines of the Year, to compete for the title of National Young Marine of the Year.
Photo courtesy of Kat Hall Photography.
http://kathallphoto.zenfolio.com
Jan 2017 - We are excited to announce that YM/SgtMaj Caleb Maurer, a sophomore at Dixie Heights High School, has been selected as the 2017 Division 2 Young Marine of the Year... for the second year in a row. YM/SgtMaj Maurer will once again represent 30 units in our Division.
YM/SgtMaj Maurer was an escort for WWII Marines on their journey back to Guam and Iwo Jima in March for the Reunion of Honor Trip. In early May, he will attend the Young Marines Adult Leaders Conference in Las Vegas, where he will stand before the National Board, as will the other 5 Division Young Marines of the Year, to compete for the title of National Young Marine of the Year.
Photo courtesy of Kat Hall Photography.
http://kathallphoto.zenfolio.com
Northern Kentucky Proud! (again and again)
July 2016: Five Northern Kentucky Young Marines attended and graduated from the Young Marines National Leadership Academy in Camp Rilea, Oregon. YM/LCpl Hayden Mattes (13 of Williamsburg OH), YM/LCpl Scott Robinson (16 of Erlanger KY), and YM/LCpl Ben Schuler (17 of Covington KY) graduated from Junior Leadership School, YM/Sgt Audrey Rowland (17 of Cold Spring KY) graduated from Senior Leadership School, and YM/SgtMaj Caleb Maurer D2YMOY (15 of Bromley KY) graduated from Advanced Leadership School. Congratulations to all! And OOHRAH! to YM/SgtMaj Caleb Maurer for his selection as the 2016 National Advanced Leadership School Honor Graduate!!
N. KY Young Marines DC/Quantico Trip 2015
21 of the Northern Kentucky Young Marines and 5 Adult Staff members travelled to DC and Quantico 8-12 August.
We were joined by 7 members of the Manassas unit and our Division Commander at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The leaders of the N. KY Young Marines were honored and humbled to lay a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown.
Marine Corps League Unit Commendation
Aug 2014 - Young Marines HQ announced it will award all Young Marines in the state of Kentucky with the Marine Corps League Commendation, a national honor offered in recognition of outstanding performance of duty to the community over an extended period of time.
All three of the Young Marine units in Kentucky will be presented with the MCL Commendation. This is a very prestigous national award for Young Marines and marks the first time that all three Kentucky units have been recognized in one presentation. The ceremony took place on 28 September in Lexington, KY.
Mr. Zeddie Harmon - Commandant, Marine Corps League Department of Kentucky, Mr. Joe Venable - National Deputy Director of the Young Marines, plus Marine Corps League Commandants and Representatives from across the state plus Young Marines from the Bluegrass unit, the Captain Reginald Underwood unit and the Northern Kentucky unit were in attendance for the presentation of certificates and streamers.
All three of the Young Marine units in Kentucky will be presented with the MCL Commendation. This is a very prestigous national award for Young Marines and marks the first time that all three Kentucky units have been recognized in one presentation. The ceremony took place on 28 September in Lexington, KY.
Mr. Zeddie Harmon - Commandant, Marine Corps League Department of Kentucky, Mr. Joe Venable - National Deputy Director of the Young Marines, plus Marine Corps League Commandants and Representatives from across the state plus Young Marines from the Bluegrass unit, the Captain Reginald Underwood unit and the Northern Kentucky unit were in attendance for the presentation of certificates and streamers.
Northern KY YMs honored at JLS
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Aug 2014 - Two of our Young Marines recently attended the 1st Indiana Battalion Junior Leadership School in Columbus IN. Not only did they pass their tests and graduate from the JLS, but they both earned honors. YM/LCpl Audrey Rowland was awarded the MOLLY MARINE Award for Highest Female Physical Fitness Test score and YM/Cpl Charlie Riggs was the JLS HONOR GRADUATE. Side note: At age 11, YM/Cpl Charlie Riggs was not only the Honor Graduate, but also the youngest Young Marine to complete the school. OOHRAH YMs! (Junior Leadership School is necessary in order to promote to the rank of Young Marine Sergeant.)
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Pearl Harbor 2013
Dec 2013 - Young Marines from all across the country joined forces to honor Pearl Harbor Veterans by marching in the 3rd Annual Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Parade last December. Ten Young Marines from the Northern Kentucky unit raised the funds for their trip, and what a trip it was. They stayed in the barracks at K-bay, Marine Corps Air Station Hawaii, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Punchbowl (the National Cemetery of the Pacific), visited the USS Arizona memorial where they participated in a Marine Corps League Aloha Detachment wreath-laying ceremony, and marched in the parade alongside some of the survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Dec 2013 - Young Marines from all across the country joined forces to honor Pearl Harbor Veterans by marching in the 3rd Annual Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Parade last December. Ten Young Marines from the Northern Kentucky unit raised the funds for their trip, and what a trip it was. They stayed in the barracks at K-bay, Marine Corps Air Station Hawaii, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Punchbowl (the National Cemetery of the Pacific), visited the USS Arizona memorial where they participated in a Marine Corps League Aloha Detachment wreath-laying ceremony, and marched in the parade alongside some of the survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
2013-14 NATIONAL Young Marine of the Year!!
YM/SgtMaj Dakota Richter was named the National Young Marine of the Year on 18 May 2013, at a black-tie banquet at the Silver Legacy in Reno, NV.
*Shown in the photos (starting upper left corner and working clockwise) are: 1) National Executive Director LtCol Michael Kessler speaks about Dakota's accomplishments as the 2012-13 National Young Marine of the Year YM/SgtMaj McCall Behringer attaches the Gold Cord to YM/SgtMaj Dakota Richter's uniform (signifying her National title). 2) DIV2 Y'ALL (rebranding Division 2, as Richter is the first ever YMOY from KY). 3) Young Marines Division Young Marine of the Year ring. 4) Cpl Alvin Hendricks USMC (National Staff Member & one of Dakota's mentors in the program) with the new National YMOY. 5) YM/SgtMaj Richter and her Mom, Lynne Arnold, celebrating her title. 6) Mr David Byrd (N KY Executive Officer & Security Advisor to the YM/SgtMaj), YM/SgtMaj Dakota Richter and Janice Gruner (N KY Unit Fundraising Coordinator).
*Shown in the photos (starting upper left corner and working clockwise) are: 1) National Executive Director LtCol Michael Kessler speaks about Dakota's accomplishments as the 2012-13 National Young Marine of the Year YM/SgtMaj McCall Behringer attaches the Gold Cord to YM/SgtMaj Dakota Richter's uniform (signifying her National title). 2) DIV2 Y'ALL (rebranding Division 2, as Richter is the first ever YMOY from KY). 3) Young Marines Division Young Marine of the Year ring. 4) Cpl Alvin Hendricks USMC (National Staff Member & one of Dakota's mentors in the program) with the new National YMOY. 5) YM/SgtMaj Richter and her Mom, Lynne Arnold, celebrating her title. 6) Mr David Byrd (N KY Executive Officer & Security Advisor to the YM/SgtMaj), YM/SgtMaj Dakota Richter and Janice Gruner (N KY Unit Fundraising Coordinator).
IWO JIMA: Reunion of Honor
So far, 2 of our Young Marines (YM/SgtMaj Caleb Maurer and YM/SgtMaj Dakota Richter) and one volunteer adult staff member were humbled to be able to, along with 9 other Young Marines from across the country, attend the once-a-year trip to Guam and Iwo Jima as an escort for World World II Veterans. The 6 Division Young Marines of the Year, the current National Young Marine of the Year, the 2 Young Marine Scholarship winners and 1 hand-selected Young Marine are awarded this trip each year, where they attend the Japanese and American memorial service on the island.
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In matters of style, swim with the current; In matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~Thomas Jefferson
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